By Héctor “Gadget” Negrón | The SpikeNet From August 21 through August 24, The SpikeNet had the opportunity to be part of the 2026 Jeep AVCA First Serve in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, creating content, capturing photos, and watching some of the best college volleyball programs in the country begin their seasons. But for us, there was something extra special about being there. As we looked around at some of the nation’s top programs, we couldn’t help but feel a little Florida pride.

From Winter Park to Arizona State, and a college debut on one of volleyball’s biggest stages. In this episode of SpikeNet & Friends, we sit down with Elle Mottola, Orlando native, Arizona State freshman setter, and one of the newest faces making an immediate impact in NCAA volleyball. Elle shares what it felt like to make her college debut at the AVCA First Serve event in Milwaukee, competing in the Fiserv Forum against defending national champion Texas. From the nerves and e

From Orlando volleyball to the NCAA Final Four. In this episode of SpikeNet & Friends, we sit down with Mike Iandolo, Ball State Men’s Volleyball Head Coach, AVCA Coach of the Year, former Lewis University standout setter, and a Florida native for a conversation about his journey, player development, program culture, and building a team that can compete at the highest level. Coach Iandolo shares his path from growing up in Florida’s early boys volleyball scene to playing at L

Del sueño olímpico a construir la próxima generación del voleibol puertorriqueño. En este episodio de SpikeNet & Friends, nos sentamos con Juan Carlos Núñez, dirigente de la Selección Nacional Femenina de Puerto Rico, para una conversación honesta sobre liderazgo, desarrollo, voleibol de alto rendimiento y el largo camino hacia Los Ángeles 2028. Coach Núñez ha construido una carrera marcada por su compromiso con el deporte y con Puerto Rico. Múltiple campeón con las Criollas

Episode 15 of SpikeNet & Friends features Charles Norman, a Miami native, Team Florida coach, and the newest addition to the UCLA Bruins men’s volleyball program. From South Florida gyms to one of the biggest stages in college volleyball, Charles shares how he followed his love for the game all the way to Westwood. From Miami to UCLA Charles did not set out chasing a title or a top-five program. He simply focused on getting better every day, first as a player, then as a coach

Episode 14 of SpikeNet & Friends features Coach Corey Marks, a Florida volleyball product, former Team Florida athlete, and the head coach of Rockhurst Men’s Volleyball. Corey shares the journey that took him from playing and coaching in Florida to building a college program and the lessons that continue to drive him every day. More than volleyball For Corey, coaching starts with building the whole person. He believes athletes should be great teammates, grateful people, and c

Episode 13 of SpikeNet & Friends features Alanys Viera, Team Florida legend, OTVA Orlando alum, and Miami Hurricane for a conversation about family, pressure, confidence, and growing up in the volleyball world. From learning the game with her mom and dad as coaches to building her own path as a setter, Alanis shares the moments that shaped her on and off the court. A volleyball family legacy Alanys grew up in the gym surrounded by volleyball. With her parents, siblings, aunts

En este episodio nos sentamos con Jesús Echevarría, uno de los coaches más destacados del voleibol puertorriqueño, recién salido de un campeonato con Dallas en su primera temporada en la liga. Jesús comparte cómo un equipo que arrancó con expectativas de estar quinto o sexto terminó construyendo estándares altos desde el primer día y encontrando la fórmula para hacer algo especial. Hablamos de una final intensa a cinco sets, los ajustes que Dallas tuvo que hacer después de ca

Episode 11 of SpikeNet & Friends is a full volleyball junkie episode: a world tour from European pro leagues to Puerto Rico to the inaugural season of LOVB Pro, and then back into the heart of the NCAA men’s national championship with Jay Hosack breaking down what really happened. The crew, Rookie, Gadget, and Brian, start with what they have been glued to all week: finals in Italy and Poland, VNL storylines, Puerto Rican leagues, and the LOVB semifinals, before handing the m

Episode 10 of SpikeNet & Friends brings back Princeton assistant coach Joe Norton for Bracketology Part 2, where the crew dives even deeper into the NCAA men’s volleyball championship bracket and the potential paths for the top seeds. This time, the focus shifts from Princeton’s journey to the national picture: UCLA, Ball State, Long Beach, Hawai‘i, and how the expanded 12‑team field might actually play out on the court. UCLA at the top of the bracket The conversation starts

Episode 9 of SpikeNet & Friends sits down with Joe Norton, assistant coach for Princeton Men’s Volleyball and former assistant at George Mason, for a conversation that blends team culture, growth, and true volleyball bracketology. From a regular season full of ups and downs to a historic run as the No. 6 seed to the EIVA final, Joe walks through how Princeton went from “learning” to competing toe-to-toe with some of the best teams in the country. Princeton’s rollercoaster sea

EPISODIO 8 YA ESTÁ LIVE En el Episodio 8 de SpikeNet & Friends nos sentamos con Israel Delgado, uno de los coaches más respetados en la comunidad del voleibol, con huella tanto en Puerto Rico como en Florida. Israel ha sido asistente en programas de alto rendimiento como Florida High Performance, coach de selecciones juveniles de Puerto Rico y director de desarrollo de jugadoras en Top Select Volleyball Academy, además de head coach a nivel universitario en Estados Unidos. DE

EPISODE 7 IS LIVE Episode 7 of SpikeNet & Friends is here, and this one is specia, a true full circle moment with someone who has been in the middle of the boys volleyball movement in Florida. The SpikeNet crew sits down with Imanol Davila Morales, Puerto Rico–born coach and current men’s volleyball coach on staff at Barry University, where he is helping build one of the newer NCAA men’s programs into a serious contender. FROM PUERTO RICO TO BARRY UNIVERSITY Imanol’s story st

EPISODE 6 IS LIVE Episode 6 of SpikeNet & Friends is out, and this one is a full-circle moment. The SpikeNet crew sits down with Trevor Keenan, former Team Florida All-Star and now assistant coach at UCF Volleyball, to talk about growing up in Florida volleyball, competing at a high level, and now helping lead one of the top college programs in the country. FROM FLORIDA ALL-STAR TO COLLEGE COACH Trevor’s story runs straight through the heart of the Florida volleyball pipeli

EPISODE 5 IS LIVE Episode 5 of SpikeNet & Friends is here, and this one zooms out to the big picture: the mission, people, and vision behind one of the most active volleyball regions in the country. This episode features Kurt Esser, Executive Director & President of the Florida Region of USA Volleyball, who stepped into the role in 2025 and has been helping guide the Region through a period of huge growth for the sport. LEADING THE FLORIDA REGION Kurt talks about his first ye

EPISODE 4 IS LIVE Episode 4 of SpikeNet & Friends is here, and this one is a must-watch for anyone who plays, coaches, or parents in volleyball. The SpikeNet crew sits down with Dr. Cam Gholampour, Director of Performance Care and Lead Sports Chiropractor at The Performance Lab in Tampa and long-time Medical Oversight for USA Volleyball – Florida Region/Team Florida All-Stars. INSIDE THE WORLD OF PERFORMANCE & RECOVERY In this episode, Dr. Cam breaks down how he went from an

EPISODE 3 IS LIVE Episode 3 of SpikeNet & Friends is out, and this one connects every layer of the game, from youth courts to championship stages and front offices. The SpikeNet crew sits down with Sarah Ratzlaff, Vice President of Business Operations & Strategic Partnerships for the Orlando Valkyries, defending 2025 Major League Volleyball champions and one of the flagship organizations pushing pro volleyball forward in the U.S. BUILDING MORE THAN A CHAMPION This episode pul

EPISODE 2 IS LIVE SpikeNet & Friends Episode 2 is here, and this one is all about legacy, growth, and where volleyball is going next. In this episode, The SpikeNet sits down with George Mulry, Executive Director of the International Volleyball Hall of Fame, to talk about the Hall’s global momentum, its evolving partnership with FIVB, and why preserving volleyball history matters more than ever. WHY THIS ONE MATTERS George explains that the International Volleyball Hall of Fam

THE SPIKENET & FRIENDS EPISODE 1 IS HERE The SpikeNet & Friends kicked off its very first episode with a conversation that feels bigger than sports. Episode 1 features Bankole “Banks” Adebanjo of Positive Coaching Alliance and puts the spotlight on the culture, pressure, and purpose shaping youth sports today. WHY THIS EPISODE HITS This is not just a volleyball interview. It is a real conversation about burnout, social media pressure, early specialization, and the need to bri

This past week, The SpikeNet had the incredible privilege of covering the 2024 AVCA Louisville Convention , an event that brought...